July 1, 2010

Wow! Our emails are getting shorter and shorter, just like the time I have left on my mission.

I'm such a bundle of emotions these days. I'm excited, but sad and reflective. So many feelings, I don't really know what to think these days. I'm so thankful for my mission. I'm grateful for the service I have been allowed to render. I'm grateful for the people I have met and the wonderful changes I have been a part of.

I'm impressed with the changes in myself. I never saw myself as the person I am today. I never thought I would be who I am. I love being a missionary. I wish I could instill all of my love for missionary work into every new missionary. I know though, that they will gain this same love as they experience the things that I have.

I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I don't think I will ever understand what He went through and the love He has for each and everyone of us. I hope I can always show my gratitude for Him and His sacrifice.

I know that God loves us and I'm thankful for His guiding hand in all that we do. I love the restoration. It makes me so happy to know that God continues to speak to us through a prophet. I will always do what the prophet tells me to do. I'm grateful for revelation. I don't think I ever truly believed in Revelation before my mission. I heard so many stories about it, but it had never happened to me. It is probably because I had never sought it. I know that God gives us revelation to help us, to guide us.

I'm thankful for the scriptures. They are the guide to salvation. Paul teaches about it in 2 Timothy. I read it today with my companions. It made me think about how true it is. They show us the way to return to our Heavenly Father.

I have a testimony of the plan of salvation and our potential to become like God. I also have a testimony of the great responsibility we have to share the gospel and equally important to live the gospel.

I'm grateful that God gives us families. As our families follow the example of Jesus Christ, we find true lasting happiness that will never end. All in all I'm thankful for the Love of God and all that He does for us. If we recognize this love our lives are so much better. :)

I don't really know why I did that, but I did. I hope it helps someone.

DEVON'S COMES HOME

Devon will be flying in to Salt Lake on August 2nd @ 10:55. We will be there to pick him up.

He speaks in Sacrament meeting on the 8th @ 9am. We will have a BBQ following @ 2pm. Bring a salad & RSVP to djfamily82@gmail.com

SLIDESHOW OF INDIA

Double Click on the photo to see the pictures larger and Captions

The Testimony of Elder Jenks

Being that it is Christmas time and Christmas is all about our Savior, I thought I would bear you my testimony - well, not bear, but write:This whole mission experience has been really crazy. I wasn't sure how good I was going to be at it. After 4 months I guess I'm dong OK. I know that I have grown so much. I also know that the gospel wasn't always the first thing on my mind. That is something that has definately changed. I love this gospel. I have always loved it, I just haven't always acted the part. I am ready to act the part. I love everything about it. I love that any question I have can be answered by scriptures, prophets or church materials. There is no way this isn't true! As I have been studying more and more, I know with all my heart that this Chruch is the one true Church and that if I do what is told by prophets and scriptures, I can live with God and you again forever. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. That he, through the power of God, translated the Book of Mormon. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet and that he receives revelation for all of us. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. Not because that is what I was taught all my life, but because I have prayed and asked if it is true.I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and the Savior of the world. If we follow His example and the prophets that are chosen, we can return to live with God and receive so much more happiness than we have ever known.I know that God is my Father, that He loves me. I know this because He blesses me with a loving family and friends. He blesses me with so much. Most of the time I don't deserve it, but still He gives. I am so thankful for the Atonement and all it does. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Jenks' email address

djfive@myldsmail.netAnyone may send him an email, but he can only answer family. I will pass any messages from him on to you.

Elder Jenks' MTC Experience

I loved the MTC, I didn't really want to leave.....I loved how I could feel the Spirit 24/7. I could feel (It) even doing the menial things. I felt the Spirit even when I was doing my service assignment every Monday.....The second thing I loved most about the MTC was that I could walk from my class to the cafeteria that was 200 yards away and I would hear at least 3 different languages. It was cool to know that so many people could learn a new language so fast......My favorite food at the MTC was definately not Yellow Death (the scrambled eggs). I really liked the chicken cordon bleu and the chicken fried steak was good, too......It is weird to call everyone 'Elder', but I am getting used to it..... Another funny thing was at the Referral Center with Elder Singh who's dad is Indian, his first name is Permjeet. Everytime someone would call and he would tell them his name the person would hang up on him. So he changed his name to Steve for all intents and purposes. Well he told a lady that he was Steve and they started talking and he taught her the first lesson and more. It was an awesome experience, but at the end she asked what his last name was and he couldn't think of one to say. He looked at the screen and saw Jacobs, so thats what he told her. Well that turned out to be her last name too. So she went off about how they could be related. It was really funny. We were all listening to the conversation. It was a pretty good teaching opportunity though.